Scot eyes new deal
By Derek Bish

Friday 5th February 2010

EXETER City defender Scot Bennett has praised the influence of Weymouth captain Scott Brice as he nears the end of his second month at the Terras.

No deal has yet been struck to extend the 19-year-old’s loan deal from the League One club, with it coming to an end on Tuesday.

But the teenager admits he would be happy to remain with the Blue Square South club, even though they suffered the lowest moment of his stay when losing 4-0 at Eastleigh on Tuesday.

“I’m not sure what is happening because I haven’t heard anything about it, but I didn’t hear until the last day last month,” said Bennett. “Normally I sit down with the Exeter Reserves manager and he explains what he wants me to do, so I’ll go along with him.

“It would be good to keep playing first team football and getting to know the lads has been good.”

Bennett has made six starts since joining the Terras in December and played every minute except the second half of the 4-1 defeat to Chelmsford City after picking up a knock.

During that spell he experienced the first two local derbies of his career and scored the decisive second goal when Weymouth beat Dorchester Town 2-0 at the Wessex Stadium on New Year’s Day.

“It was a really good feeling, especially as it was in the local derby and was my first one at home,” he said. “It was a great feeling because you want to get the first one under your belt early.”

However, the last match the Terras played was the 4-0 loss at Eastleigh’s Silverlake Stadium, the biggest loss of Bennett’s time in the team and Weymouth’s heaviest since losing 5-0 to Maidenhead United on October 10 – there have been two changes of management and one change of owner since then.

“It was a bit of a low point,” said the highly-rated Exeter player. “I don’t think there was much between the two sides it just all went wrong and we didn’t perform who we could.

“It was like two different teams that played Saturday and then on Tuesday and we have to get it out of our system quickly.”

Although he is small in stature, Bennett has certainly shown good strength in dealing with a host of powerful of strikers during his time at the Terras, but had special praise from the help he has received from skipper and defensive partner Brice.

“He’s not a bad defender, quite mobile for his size and is a really good talker, which you need at the back so you know if there is a striker on your shoulder,” said Bennett. “He’s been good to play alongside him and I’m sure I will take a lot away from him.”

The Terras travel to Staines Town tomorrow (3pm) in the Blue Square South.